Reloop: A Complete Buyer's Guide

If you're stepping into DJ and electronic music production, Reloop equipment represents an attractive middle ground between budget-conscious starter gear and professional-grade systems. Many nervous DJs wonder whether Reloop is right for them, whether the brand offers genuine quality, and how to navigate the bewildering range of Reloop controllers, turntables, and mixers on the market. This buying guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly what to evaluate when choosing Reloop equipment for your setup.

Understanding Reloop's Market Position and Reputation

Reloop is a German brand specialising in DJ equipment and electronic music production tools. The company occupies the middle tier of the DJ equipment market—more affordable than industry leaders like Pioneer but offering better quality and support than budget no-name brands. This positioning makes Reloop equipment particularly attractive for serious hobbyists and semi-professional DJs who want reliable, feature-rich gear without premium pricing.

Reloop's reputation centres on building equipment that sounds good, lasts through regular use, and includes thoughtful feature sets that appeal to working DJs. Unlike some budget brands that cut corners on build quality, Reloop equipment feels substantial and reliable. Many professional DJs own Reloop gear alongside or instead of mainstream premium brands.

However, Reloop isn't as ubiquitous as Pioneer in professional clubs. If you're buying Reloop equipment specifically to master club-standard gear, understand that you'll eventually encounter Pioneer equipment in venues. The good news is that DJ fundamentals transfer directly between brands—once you've learned on Reloop, adapting to any other brand is straightforward.

Reloop Equipment Categories: What You're Actually Buying

Reloop makes several types of DJ equipment, each suited to different needs:

• DJ controllers: Interface devices that connect to your computer and software (Serato, Rekordbox, etc.). Reloop controllers range from compact two-deck units (around £250–£500) to full-featured four-deck setups (£1,000+). These are the most common Reloop purchases for bedroom and small-venue DJs.
• Turntables: Reloop makes both direct-drive turntables (for scratching and precise control) and belt-drive models (for more affordable entry-level options). Turntable pricing ranges from £300–£800 depending on features and motor quality. Direct-drive models cost more but offer superior control.
• DJ mixers: Standalone mixers for working with multiple audio sources. Reloop DJ mixers typically cost £300–£600, offering quality sound and practical layout for working DJs.
• Integrated all-in-one systems: Devices combining controller, mixer, and sometimes turntable in one unit. These £500–£1,500 systems appeal to DJs who want portability and self-contained setups.

Identify which category suits your needs before shopping. A bedroom DJ wanting to learn has different requirements than a mobile DJ working multiple venues per week.

Key Specifications to Evaluate

When comparing Reloop equipment, assess these critical specifications:

• Build quality and materials: Reloop equipment ranges from plastic bodies (more affordable, lighter, less durable) to metal construction (professional-grade, heavier, more expensive). For stationary bedroom setups, plastic construction is acceptable. For regular transport, metal is better.
• Motor quality (turntables): Direct-drive motors offer faster startup and more consistent speed, essential for scratching. Belt-drive motors are cheaper but less precise. If you plan to scratch, direct-drive is non-negotiable.
• Jog wheel responsiveness: Quality jog wheels (the spinning discs that control track position) feel smooth and responsive. Cheap jog wheels feel sluggish and frustrating. This is where you spend the most time, so the quality matters hugely.
• Software compatibility: Confirm the specific Reloop controller works with your preferred DJ software (Serato, Rekordbox, VirtualDJ, etc.). Some Reloop models support multiple software, while others are limited. This affects flexibility later.
• Connectivity options: Check for USB, Ethernet, phono inputs (for turntables), RCA connections, and headphone outputs. More connections offer flexibility for different setups.

Price Tiers and What You Actually Get

Reloop equipment spans a wide price range. Understanding what each tier offers prevents overspending or undershooting your actual needs.

• Entry-level (£200–£400): Basic controllers with two decks, plastic construction, limited mixer features. Suitable for learning in bedrooms. Feel cheap and lack some professional features but work fine for practice.
• Mid-range (£400–£800): Four-deck controllers, mixed materials (plastic body, metal components), better jog wheels, more mixer functionality. This tier offers genuine value and suits semi-professional use. Most working mobile DJs own mid-range Reloop equipment.
• Professional tier (£800+): Metal construction, premium jog wheels, advanced routing options, high-quality sound. These rival or exceed Pioneer prices and suit full-time professional DJs or studio work.

Most buyers find the mid-range (£400–£600) tier offers the best value proposition. You get quality that lasts, features you'll actually use, and performance that scales with your developing skills.

Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing based on control count alone. More knobs and faders looks impressive but doesn't guarantee better DJing. Many DJs succeed on simpler controllers. Focus on quality execution rather than feature quantity.
• Buying professional-tier equipment as a beginner. Expensive Reloop equipment offers marginal improvements for learning DJs. Start mid-range and upgrade once you've defined your specific needs.
• Ignoring software compatibility. Some Reloop controllers work with limited DJ software options. Confirm compatibility with your preferred platform before committing. Being locked into one software limits your future flexibility.
• Underestimating portability requirements. If you'll transport equipment to gigs, metal construction matters. Plastic equipment survives bedroom use fine but fatigues and breaks with transport. Assess your real usage patterns.
• Overlooking build quality in favor of price. A £50 savings on ultra-budget Reloop equipment means plastic jog wheels that feel terrible and components that wear quickly. Spend a bit more for mid-range quality you'll enjoy using regularly.

New vs. Used Reloop Equipment

Reloop equipment retains value reasonably well. Used controllers and turntables typically cost 40–60% of new prices, depending on age and condition. If you're budget-conscious, used mid-range Reloop equipment from a trusted source represents genuine value.

When buying used, inspect jog wheels for wear, test connectivity ports, and confirm all buttons and faders respond smoothly. Listen to the turntable motor (if applicable) for grinding sounds or stuttering. These indicate damage or imminent failure.

New Reloop equipment comes with warranty and the confidence of factory condition, but used can be smart if you buy cautiously.

Making Your Choice

Start by identifying your actual use case: bedroom learning, mobile DJ work, club mixing, or production. Then prioritize what matters most: portability, specific software compatibility, build quality, or feature set. Finally, identify your budget and find the Reloop equipment that fits those parameters.

For comprehensive information on specific Reloop models, detailed comparisons with other brands, and advanced setup guidance, our complete guide to Reloop equipment covers every aspect in depth. For now, focus on your actual needs, choose mid-range equipment that matches those needs, and verify software compatibility before purchasing. Reloop equipment is genuinely solid—choose carefully and it will serve you for years.